posted March 13, 2008 at 18:04 in NBA Betting Trends

Cleveland Cavaliers (37-28) vs. Washington Wizards (31-32)

Thursday, March 13th --- Verizon Center, Washington --- 8:00pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Washington -3.5 (193.5)

It’s hard to believe, but the Wiz Kidz actually average more points than the Cavaliers. They rock the rim for 98.2 points per game, while LBJ and company only manage 97.4 points. With Boobie, Big Z and Big Ben all ailing, the Cavs are prime for the picking. And their 1-4 SU record in their past 5 road games is proof. If you need more, then how about the 104-99 walloping that Richard Jefferson’s Nets just handed them?

I wrote last night that Lebron’s presence on the court was enough to override the fact that the Cavs are obviously crippled by injuries to some big names. But man was I wrong. I’m a man. I can admit that at least. Lebron capped a 42-point night with 7 helpers and 11 rebounds, but that still wasn’t enough to get past the atrocious Nets last night. With Jamison carrying the Wizards on his back, it’s hard to imagine the twenty-or-so points he chips in not offsetting whatever Lebron has to offer. I also hate the fact that the Cavs are playing back-to-back road games on consecutive days.

The Cavs are a slightly better rebounding team, with 44.1 boards per game, compared to the Wizards 42.1, but without the “Bigs” (Ben and Zydrunas) ailing with back injuries, then it’s hard to imagine anyone seriously challenging Brendan Haywood in the paint. Haywood has averaged a mediocre 10.5 points per game with 7.4 boards.

LBJ is coming of an exhausting 42-minute game and now has to hit the road again to challenge a Wizards team which has gone 10-4 ATS in its past 14 games. Winning has plagues them, but covering the spread has not. They have flown under the betting radar because of the absence of Agent Zero and Tough Juice, but the smart betting investors know that this is a savvy bet on any given night. Bet safely on the Wizards until at least one of the big men in Cleveland comes back to the floor.

It doesn’t seem to matter what LBJ does, but without a full supporting cast of character, this team is not going to get it done. It’s becoming more and more apparent how important Zydrunas is to this team.

NBA Free Picks: Washington -3.5 (OVER)

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